Underwater gun and projectile for spear fishing



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

Dec. 13, 1960 D. A. DOTSON UNDERWATER GUN AND PROJECTILE FOR SPEAR FISHING Filed oct. 28, 1955 mm.. hw m9 wl b. m. 3u', w .ll I .sw 4 QQ D. A. DOTSON Dec. 13, 19,60

UNDERWATER GUN AND PROJECTILE FOR SPEAR FISHING Filed OC'. 28, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 NNN JNVENTOR. DOAMLD A. DOTSON or/y `S S SNES QQ 3N omN/ WS NBN bbw I'. W A. ..-SIN |\N I vom u .l/

w QQ Sw mow .w 2Q @S eww w3 n wkn EN Rm QN Rm 2,964,031 UNDERWATER GUN AND PROJECTILE: FOR SPEAR FisHING Filed oct. 28. 1955 Dec. 13, 1960 D. A. DorsoN 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 www IN V EN TOR. DONALD A DOTSON .,w.. .RN

United States Patent O UNDERWATER GUN AND PROJECTILE FOR SPEAR FISHING Donald A. Dotson, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of onehalf to R. Welton Whann, Los Angeles, Calif.

Filed Oct. 28, 1955, Ser. No. 543,457

Claims. (Cl. 124-11) This invention relates generally to weapons and relates more particularly to weapons or instruments for underwater use. This is a continuation-impart of applicants copending application for Underwater Gun and Projectile for Spear Fishing, Serial No. 259,039, iled November 30, 1951, and since abandoned.

Although not conl'ned thereto the invention has particular utility in connection with, and will be shown and described embodied in instruments or devices for use in underwater spear fishing wherein the projectile thereof is discharged and propelled by means of a gas under pressure.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved instrument of this character.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device of this character having a high initial thrust imparted by gas under pressure.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a device of this character wherein the thrust propelling the projectile continues to be effective after the projectile leaves the gun.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein the cartridge containing the gas under pressure is carried by the projectile thereby effecting minimum use of the gas.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having cord release means to provide smooth paying out of the cord when the cartridge is discharged.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein there is a minimum amount of resistance to the movement of the cord as it is pulled through the water by the projectile.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a weapon of this character that is easy to reload Whether in the Water or out of the water.

Another object of the invention is to provide an instrument of this character providing novel sealing means between the projectile and gun.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a weapon of this character that is relatively simple in construction and operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a weapon o-f this character that is effective and reliable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a weapon embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of the device;

Fig. 2a is a longitudinal section of the other portion of said device;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the projectile as it is about to leave the forward end of the gun;

Fig. 4 is a side view of another arrangement of the invention showing the projectile and recovery cord;

rice

Fig. 5a is an enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of the device;

Fig. 5b is a longitudinal section of the other portion of said device;

6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5b;

Fig. 6a is a section taken on line 6a-6a of Fig. 5a;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of an alternative arrangement of a'portlon of the device;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of another alternative arrangement; and

Fig. 9 is a view taken from line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Referring to Fig. 1, the gun is indicated generally at 10 and the projectile is indicated generally at 11.

The gun comprises a hollow cylinder 12 having internal threads 14 and 15 at the rear ends thereof. Closing the rear end is a plug 16 having a reduced diameter portion 17 with external threads for threaded connection with the threads 14. The plug 16 has an axial passage 18 therethrough with an annular chamber 19 adjacent the outer end in which is received an O ring seal 20.

Within the hollow interior 21 of the cylinder 12 is a cocking member, indicated generally at 22, which comprises a tubular member 23 having a rod 24 extending rearwardly from one end, said rod extending through the opening 1S and beyond the adjacent outer end of the plug 16. The outer end of the rod 24 is threaded at 25 for threaded reception of a cocking handle 26. The seal 20 permits operative movements of the rod 24 but provides a seal between the plug 16 and said rod. The opposite end of the tubular member 23 is provided with a wall 28 having an axial opening 29 therein, said wall 28 extending outwardly of the plane of the tube 23 to provide a liange 30 against which one end of a spring 31 reacts, the opposite end of said spring reacting against the inner surface of the plug 16. The forward end of the cylinder 12 is closed by an intermediate member 35 having a reduced diameter portion 36 with external threads screwed into the threads 15 of the sleeve 12. Member 35 is provided with an axial bore 37 therethrough and has a reduced diameter part 38 at the forward end from which another reduced diameter portion 39 extends forwardly. The part 39 is provided with screw threads 40 adjacent the base thereof on which is threaded a forwardly extending sleeve 41 which serves as a support and guide for the projectile and which may be termed, for purposes of convenience, the barrel of the gun.

At the forward end of the sleeve 41 is a hand member 45 having a body 46 of substantially the same external diameter as the external diameter of the sleeve 41 and from said body portion 46, a series of reduced diameter portions 47, 48 and 49 extend rearwardly, each of said reduced portions being smaller in diameter than the preceding one.` The portions 47 and 48 are externally threaded andthe forward end of the sleeve 41, which has internal threads, receives the threaded portion 47. The forward end of the sleeve 41 abuts against a shoulder l50 at the rear end of the body 46. A rearwardly extending hollow sleeve 52, provided with internal threads in the forward end, is threaded on to the reduced diameter portion 48 and has its forward end in abutment against a shoulder 53 at the rearward lend of the portion 47. Axial bore 5S extends through the member 45 for slidable reception of the stem 56 of a piercing pin, there being a pointed conical head 58 at the forward end of said stem 56 and an enlarged member 59 at the rear end of said stem 56, said enlarged head 59 being secured on the stem by any suitable means such as screw threads, not shown. The member 45 is provided with a cylindrical flange 66 which extends forwardly of the body 46 and has an outside diameter substantially the same as said body. The forward end 67 of the ange 66 is rounded and said ilange defines a recess 68 in which the head 58 of the 3 piercing pin is disposed. The body 46 of the member is provided with an annular recess 68a formed about the bore for reception of a seal 69 which provides sealing means between the member 45 and the stem 56.

Means for actuating the piercing pin 57 includes a hammer disposed within the sleeve 52 and having a hammer shaft 71 extending rearwardly in the space 72 within the barrel 41 and through the passage 37 in the intermediate member 35. The hammer shaft has a head 73 at the rear end thereof which extends into the interior 74 of the tube 23, said shaft being loosely received in the opening 29 of wall 28. Shaft 71 has a longitudinally extending groove 76 in the part thereof slidable in the bore or passage 37 and a screw 77 in the member 35 has a tip 78 which extends into said groove to prevent rotation of the shaft 71 but which permits longitudinal movement of said shaft. Thus the shaft 71 also includesl a notch or detent 79 in which a suitably shaped tip 80 of a trigger pin 81 is receivable for securing the hammer in the cocked position and the pin 78 of screw 77 maintains the detent 79 in proper position so that whenever the shaft 71 is drawn rearwardly a suitable distance the tip of pin 81 will enter said detent 79 to maintain the hammer in its cocked position. The pin 80 is slidably received in a cross-bore 82 in member 35 and a groove about said bore has a seal 83 which prevents leakage past said pin 81. Pin 81 extends downwardly of the member 35 and is notched for reception of the forked end 85 of the forwardly extending portion 86 of trigger 87. The trigger 87 is pivoted at 88 and a pin 89 is operably received between the notch 90 of the portion 86 of the trigger. A spring 91 in recess 92 of the hand grip 93 extends forwardly into operative engagement with the trigger portion 86 to urge the pin 81 upwardly for engagement with the notch or detent 79. There is a spring 95 which reacts against the forward end of the parts 39 of member 35 and a Washer 97 in the space 72 within the barrel 41. The washer is provided with an opening 98 therein for slidable reception of the shaft 71 and said washer is limited in its forward movement by the rearward end of sleeve S2 Which may be termed a washer stop. To cock the mechanism the handle 26 is pulled rearwardly so that the wall 28 will pick up the head 73 on the hammer shaft 71. Upon further rearward movement of the handle 26, the hammer 70 will engage washer 97, moving same against the force of spring 95 and when the shaft 71 has been moved rearwardly a suicient distance, the pin 81 will removably latch said shaft. The shaft is released upon pulling of the trigger 87 and the spring 95 drives the hammer forwardly so that it will strike head I59 of the piercing pin 57 and move said pin forwardly to pierce the adjacent end of a cartridge 100 containing gas of high pressure. Any suitable gas may be used but the cartridge may contain carbon dioxide (CO2).

The cartridge 100 is deposited within a tubular sleeve 101 of the projectile 11. The forward end of the projectile is provided with a head 102 having a reduced rear end 103 which is externally threaded and screwed into the internal threads at the forward end of sleeve 101. The forward end of head 102 is rounded or streamlined and said head is provided with a bore 104 which has an enlarged tapped forward end portion 105 for threadable reception of a spear shaft 106. Any suitable type of spear may be used, the one shown having a barbed head 107. The head is provided with crossbores 108 which provide vents from the bore 104 to the exterior of said head, the purpose of said vents being described hereinafter. The rearward end of the head 102 is countersunk to provide a recess and there is an annular groove 111, adjacent the open end of said recess, in which is received an O ring seal 112.

The member 45 of the gun is provided with an annular recess in which is received an O ring seal 116 adapted to engage the interior surface o f `the tubular sleeve 101 of the projectile. The reduced diameter portion 38 of the intermediate member 35 of the gun is also provided with an external annular groove 117 in which is received an O ring seal 118 which is adapted to have the exterior portion received in an internal annular groove 120 in the sleeve 101 so that the projectile is releasably held in the loaded position. Therefore, this O ring seal may be termed a latch member. When the projectile is in said loaded position, the cartridge 100 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 wherein the seal 112 engages the forward end of said cartridge so as to prevent escape of gas into the recess 110, bore 104 and crossbores 108. The rearward end of the cartridge has reduced neck which extends inwardly of the recess 68. The shoulder portion 126 of the neck is engaged by the forward free end 67 of the llange 66. It will be noted that the distance from the free end of the neck 125 to the bottom of the recess 68 is greater than the length of the pointed head 58 of piercing pin 57. Also the length of the stem 56 of the piercing pin 57 is suicient to permit longitudinal movement of the piercing pin so that when the hammer 70 strikes the head 59 of said pin, the pointed end 58 will be driven through the adjacent end wall of the CO2 cartridge 100. When the cartridge is thus pierced, the gas therein escapes into the recess 68 and the interior of the tube 101, between the seals 112 and 116. As the gas expands the rear end portion of the tube 101 will disengage the seal 118 but the seal 116 will continue to prevent escape of gas along the gun barrel so that all of the gas pressure within the tube 101 between said seals 112 and 116 will be effective to drive the projectile from the gun. This is best shown in Fig. 3. After the rear end of the tube 101 of the projectile passes beyond the end of the gun barrel, including the member 45, the gas Within the tube 101 will continue to drive the projectile forwardly as said gas escapes from the open rear end of said projectile tube. Even after the force of the gas is insucient to provide thrust, the gas remaining within the tube 101 acts to relieve turbulence at the rear of the projectile which would otherwise slow the flight of the projectile very rapidly.

Loading of the device may be either in or out of the water. In either event, the exhausted CO2 cartridge is removed by raising the point of the projectile or lowering the open end of tube 101. A new cartridge is in- `serted into the rear end of the projectile with the cartridge neck thereof at the rear. The open end of the projectile is then placed over the gun barrel and the entire assembly tilted so as to raise the spear so that the cartridge will slide downwardly. If the gun is being loaded in the air, air trapped within the tube 101 may escape through the recess 110, bore 104 and vents 108 and permit the projectile to be moved into the loaded position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 2a. If the device is being loaded under water, the water trapped in the tubular sleeve 101 may escape through the same recess, bore and vents.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive, the gun is indicated generally at 150, and the projectile is indicated generally at 151.

The gun includes a member 152 which will be termed the support member. Member 152 comprises a cylindrical block 153 having a diametrical slot 154 at the rear and also having a chamber 155 extending forwardly from the lower end of said slot. The forward end of the support member is provided with a reduced diameter portion 156 and a further reduced diameter portion 157 extending from the forward end of the portion 156. Both the portion 156 and the portion 157 are provided with external threads, indicated at 158 and 159 respectively. A tubular sleeve is provided with internal threads for threadable engagement with the thread 159 of the portion 157. Sleeve 165 may be considered the barrel of the gun. A second sleeve 166 having a larger internal diamter than the external diameter of the sleeve 165 is provided with internal threads adapted to be threadably received on the threads 158 of the portion 156, said sleeve 166 having a plurality of openings 167 therein of substantial size, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.

A tube 169 has its forward end portion received in an axial opening 170 provided therefor in the posterior end of the support member 153 and said forward end portion of the tube 169 is secured to the support member by any suitable means such as brazing or the like. It will be noted, Fig. 6a, that the diametrical slot 154 at the rear of the support member is enlarged at 171 to provide a recess about the adjacent portion of the tube 169.

A hand or pistol grip indicated generally at 175 comprises an upper portion 176 from which depends a portion 177 adapted to be gripped by the hand of the user. The upper portion 176 is provided with a bore in which is received the tube 169. The latter has an externally threaded portion 178 which extends rearwardly of the handle or grip portion 176 and a nut 179 is threaded on said portion of the tube 169 for securing the `support member 152 and the hand grip 175 together. The rear end of the cylindrical block 153 is held against the forward end of the portion 176 with the block 154 arranged vertically and the chamber 155 disposed -at the bottom.

The forward end of the barrel is internally threaded at 185 to provide means for attachment of a piercing pin mechanism, indicated generally at 186, and having a body 187. Body 187 includes--a reduced diameter portion 188 which is externally threaded and is adapted to be screwed into the forward end of the barrel. The external diameter of the forward portion of the body 187 is substantially the same as the external diameter of the barrel and there is a shoulder 188 at the junction of the main body portion and the reduced diameter portion 188 said shoulder abutting against the forward end of the barrel when the piercing pin mechanism is in operative position. The body also includes a reduced diameter guide 190 which extends rearwardly from the portion 188 and is ofsubstantially smaller diameter than said portion 188. The forward end of the body is provided with a recess 199 which flares outwardly at the forward end 200. The recess 199 is arranged axially and there is an -axial bore 201 extending rearwardly from the recess 199 through the portion 188 and extension 190. Within the bore 201 is disposed the stem 202 of `a piercing pin, indicated generally at 203. The forward end of the piercing pin is provided with a sharply pointed head 204, the base of which is somewhat larger than the diameter of the pin 202. Pin 202 has an enlarged portion 205 at the rear thereof. The portion of the body 187 which extends forwardly of the bore is provided with an annular recess 206 in which is disposed a seal 207 having an external diameter greater than the external diameter of the forward portion of the body 187. The purpose of this seal will be described later. Means for providing a seal for the firing pin is also provided and comprises a seal 208 received in a recess provided therefor about the bore 201.

Means for actuating the piercing pin is provided and comprises a rod, indicated generally at 210, arranged axially of the barrel and of the firing or piercing pin 202. The rod 210 includes a rear portion 212 slidably received in the tube 169. From the forward end of the portion 212 there extends forwardly a reduced diameter portion 214 having its forward free end operably disposed relative to the enlarged rear portion 205 of the piercing pin 202. In order to assure proper alignment of the portion 214 and the piercing pin the forward end of said portion 214 is provided with support means. This support means comprises a diametrically arranged plate 216 secured within the barrel by any suitable means such as brazing or the like. Plate 216 extends longitudinally within the barrel and is spaced rearwardly of the piercing pin mechanism. A slot 217 is provided in the plate 216 and the portions on either side of said slot are oppositely curved or recessed so that there is a part 218 which extends substantially half way about the rod portion 214 and a part 219 which extends substantially half way about said rod portion 214 of the opposite side thereof. Part of portion 214 of the rod 210 extends rearwardly of the rear end of the tube 169 and is provided with a threaded end on which is threadably received a cocking handle 220.

An enlongated coil spring 221 is disposed about the reduced diameter portion 214 of the rod 210 and reacts between the forward end of the support member 152 and a spring retainer 222 which is secured to the rod portion 214 between support plate 216 and said forward end of the support member 152. The spring retainer 222 is secured to said rod portion of 214 by any suitable means such as brazing or the like and said spring retainer is spaced rearwardly of the plate 216 a sufficient distance to permit proper operation of the piercing pin mechanism.

The rear end of the portion 212 of rod 210 is threaded and threadably receives a cocking handle 220 which not only provides means for cooking the gun but also limits forward movement of the rod 210.

A trigger mechanism is provided for retaining the rod 210 in the cocked position and for releasing same. This trigger mechanism comprises a trigger, indicated generally at 225, comprising a finger engaging portion or member 226. At the upper end of member 226 there is an eye portion 227 loosely received on the tube 169 and disposed within the grooved portion 171. Member 226 extends downwardly through the lower portion of the slot 154 and curves forwardly below the support member 152. Adjacent the upper end of the trigger member 226 is an arm 230 which extends forwardly into the chamber 155 and is provided with a hook 231 at the free end thereof. The hook 231 is adapted to engage a shoulder 232 at the rear of an annular recess 233. The forward wall of said recess is tapered at 234. The shoulder 232 is so positioned with respect to the portion 212 of the rod 210 that when said rod is pulled rearwardly for compression of the spring 221 the hook 231 will engage said shoulder and retain the rod 210 in the fully cocked position. There may also be a half cocked position by providing a groove or recess 233:1 rearwardly of the groove or recess 233, both said grooves or recesses being of similar shape.

There is means for urging the finger engaging portion of the trigger forwardly so as to cause the hook 231 to engage said shoulder 232. This means comprises a U-shaped spring 236 which lies behind the finger engaging portion 226 and has rearwardly turned end portions 237 which are received in openings provided therefor in the hand grip 175. The openings in which the portions 237 of the spring 236 are received are spaced laterally apart and the depending portions of said spring 236 and the lower closed end thereof engage the inger engaging portion 226 of the trigger and urge same forwardly. Due to the fact that the eye 227 is loosely received on the tube 169 said trigger pivots at the upper end and the arm 230 is moved generally counterclockwise by said spring 236 so that the hook 231 will engage the shoulder 232 when said shoulder is drawn rearwardly of the hook. Spring 236 maintains the trigger in the rod engaging position but yields when pressure is applied to the forward side of member 226 so that the hook 231 will be moved out of engagement with said shoulder 232.

There is a trigger guard which comprises a rod or tube 240 having a horizontal part 241 received in an opening rovided therefor in the hand grip 177. The forward end of the trigger guard curves upwardly at 242 and has a flattened rearwardly turned horizontal portion 243 provided with an opening for a screw 244. The sleeve or jacket 166 has an opening adjacent the -rear end which is adapted to register with the opening in the portion 243 so that the screw may pass through both said openings and into a threaded opening provided therefor in the body portion 153 ofthe support member 152. Thus screw 244 7 secures the trigger guard and also the sleeve 166 to the support member.

The projectile 151 is similar in construction and arrangement to the projectile shown in Figs. l to 3, said projectile 151 including tubular sleeve 101 which is engaged by ring seal 250 which is received in an external annular groove provided therefor in a portion 251 at the base of the part 157 of the support member. This arrangement is similar to the arrangement disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3 to releasably hold the projectile in the loaded position, said sleeve 101 of the projectile being slidably received in the space between the barrel 165 of the gun and the sleeve 166 thereof. It is to be noted that this space is of sufficient size so that the inside of the sleeve 101 is spaced from said barrel 165 and the exterior of -said sleeve 101 is spaced from the sleeve 166.

The CO2 cartridge 100 is disposed in the projectile 151 in the same manner as the cartridge 100 is disposed in the projectile 11 in the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. Also the neck 125 of the cartridge shown in Figs. 4, 5a and 5b is disposed in substantially the same manner as the neck 125 of the cartridge is disposed in the recess 68 of the arrangement disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3.

When the firing mechanism is in the cocked position the forward end of the rod portion 214 is spaced from the enlarged portion 205 of the piercing pin, as best shown in Fig. 5b. When the rod 210 is released by pulling the trigger 226 the rod 210 is snapped forwardly by the spring 221 so that the forward end of rod portion 214 strikes the adjacent end of the piercing pin and drives same forwardly to pierce the adjacent end of the cartridge 100 and release the gas therefrom. It is to be noted that the cooking handle will limit forward movement of the rod 210 so that the pin 202 will not be driven forwardly too great a distance. As the projectile leaves the gun, water may freely enter the space between the barrel and the jacket through the openings 167 to prevent suction which would interfere with the discharge of the projectile.

In order to prevent loss of the projectile a recovery line arrangement is provided. This line is indicated at 260 and includes an end portion 261 received in a rearwardly inclined opening through the head 102. The free end of the line portion 261 is knotted, as at 263 and said knot is received in a recess 264 provided therefor in said portion 102.

Means is provided for holding the cord when the gun is ready for use. This means also permits running out of the line without tangling when the projectile is fired, and said means includes a forward support including a member 270 having a rear portion 271 attached to the upper side of the sleeve 166 by any suitable means such as welding or the like. Member 270 is inclined forwardly and upwardly and terminates in an end portion 272 which is generally parallel to the sleeve 166. A vertical member 273 has its upper end welded or otherwise suitably secured to the part 272 adjacent the rear thereof and the lower end welded or otherwise suitably secured to said sleeve 166. It is to be noted that at least a portion of the rod part 272 extends forwardly of the point of attachment of the member 273. At the base of the member 273 and forwardly thereof there is an eye 275 which is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the sleeve 166, the purpose of said eye 275 being to provide means whereby a snap 276 attached to the opposite end of the line 260 may be secured to the gun. Any other suitable means of attaching the rear end of the line to the gun may be used but this arrangement provides a convenient attaching means which may be readily detached from the gun.

At the rear of the gun is a cord support and automatic release mechanism, indicated generally at 280. Mechanism 280 comprises a pair of plate members 282, each of said members having a longitudinally extending flange which extends laterally outwardly along the bottom edge and is provided with a plurality of openings therein for reception of attaching screws 283 whereby the mechanism 280 is attached to the upper surface of the portion 176 of grip 175. The grip may be of any suitable material and the screws 283 may be wood screws. The plates 282 have a relatively narrow portion 284 at the rear and said plates taper forwardly and upwardly so that they are wider at the forward end than at the rear end. The plates are spaced apart laterally relative to each other by means of spacers 285 and 286 at the rear and forward ends respectively and the assembly is secured togcther by respective rivets 287. Spacer 285 is disposed at the top of the portion 284 of the plates 282 and is `spaced from the bottom edges of said plates. The lower edge of the spacer 285 curves upwardly as thus shown in Fig. 5a. Spacer 286 is disposed at the lower forward edge portion of the plates 282 and has a rearwardly Yextending boss 289 having a slot 290 extending forwardly from the rear edge thereof. A lever, indicated generally at 292, is operably disposed in the space between the plates 282. Lever 292 has a rear portion 293 disposed beneath the spacer 285 and pivoted on a pivot pin 294. A portion of the lever part 293 extends rearwardly ot the plates 282 and is provided with a thumb plate 295. From the portion 293 of the lever there is a rack portion 296 which extends upwardly and forwardly when the lever is in the position for holding the cord; said portion 296 of the lever has a plurality of upwardly extending longitudinally spaced lingers 298 and when said lever is in the line retaining position, as shown in Fig. 5a, said fingers 298 project upwardly of the upper edge of the inclined portion of the plates 282 and said fingers are also inclined rearwardly. The forward end of the lever 292 is provided with a forwardly extending arcuate portion 300. A spring 301 is provided to urge the forward portion of the levers downwardly between the plates and said spring has a forward portion received in the slot 290 and a rear portion received in a notch 302 located forwardly of the pivot 294 and approximately at the junction of the portion 293 and portion 296 of said lever. There is a finger beneath the rear end of the spring against which said spring reacts to urge said lever in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 5a. Downward movement of the forward portion of the lever 292 is limited by engagement of the part 300 with the upper edge of the spacer 286.

When the projectile is in place in the gun the cord or line is wound on the upright member 273 and on the fingers 298 of the lever portion 296 and after said portion 296 of the lever is raised by depression of the rear portion of said lever against the force of spring 301. Counterclockwise movement of the lever 292 is limited by engagement of the upper edge thereof with the spacer 285. In winding the line on the holding mechanism the line is passed about a lower finger 298, then about the upright member 273, then about the adjacent finger 298 forwardly of the first mentioned finger 298, then about the member 273 with the second turn above the first turn. The line is further wound on the mechanism in the manner described and the last turn is placed beneath the arcuate part 300 of the lever, as thus shown in Fig. 5a. It is to be noted that a forward end of the part 300 is disposed in the path of movement forwardly of the part of the line placed beneath same. It is also to be noted that when the line is placed beneath the part 300 the lever part 296 is prevented from dropping downwardly between the plates. The gun is then ready for use.

Upon firing of the gun under water the part of the line beneath the arcuate part 300 of the lever is first pulled from beneath said part to permit the lever to be moved down to its lower position by the spring 301. The fingers 298 are, of course, drawn or moved downwardly between the plates to release the looped portions of the line that have been placed thereon. In view of the fact that the line has been wound from the bottom upwardly the line is payed out from the top downwardly and the cord as it Y spider.

is payed out with the forward movement of the projectile slides along the upwardly inclined surface or edges of the plates 282 and does not become tangled. Also it is to be noted that as the cord is pulled behind the projectile it is in the path of the gaseous bubbles being discharged from the projectile. Hence, there is far less resistance v to the movement of the cord through the iiuid medium in which the gun is operated than if said cord were moving through the water alone.

Referring to Fig. 7 there is disclosed an alternative arrangement of the head of the projectile wherein a different method for sealing the vent is disclosed. The forward end 102a of the head is also screwed into the sleeve 10'1 as in the case of the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 3. At the rear the part 102a is provided with an annular recess 310 thus forming a central rearwardly projecting boss 312. The portion 10211 is provided with an axial bore 314 with an enlarged internally threaded forward portion 315 for threadable reception of the spear shaft 316. The free end of the boss 312 is slightly concave to conform to the adjacent end of the cartridge 100. Seating of the cartridge on the adjacent end of the boss 312 effects a seal with respect to the passage 314. A lateral rearwardly extending passage 317 connects the passage 314 with the exterior of the spear head and the venting arrangement functions in the same manner as the arrangement disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive.

There is also a bore in the part 102a for reception of the line 260 and said line may be secured thereto in the manner disclosed in Fig. 5b.

The alternative arrangement shown in Figs. 8 and 9 comprises a spear head member 320 having a threaded portion 321 threadably received in the forward end of the sleeve 101. At the rear of the member 320 there is a rearwardly extending boss 322 and an axial passage extends through said member 320. The boss 322 also has a concave rear surface conforming to the contour of the adjacent portion of the cartridge 100. The rear of the spear shaft is threadably received in a boss 325 supported forwardly of the member 320 by the arm 326 of a spider. Venting of the forward end of the projectile is effected through the passage 323 and between the arms of the A cross bore 328 receives an end section 261 of the cord or line and a knot 263 is provided in the end of said line and is disposed within the bore or passage 323 of the arrangement shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

The shank 316 of the .spear attached to the projectile has a pointed spear head 325 and immediately behind said head are a pair of oppositely disposed barbs 326 pivoted adjacent their front ends on a pivot pin 327 which passes through the shank of the device just behind the spear head 325. 'I'he barbs 326 are arcuate in cross section so as to lie alongside and partly enclose the adjacent portion of the shank 316, as shown in Fig. 4. Slidable on the shank 316 is a ring 328 having a collar 329 adjacent the forward end, said collar having a recess therein somewhat larger in diameter than the diameter of the shank so that said collar may be moved over the free tip ends of the barbs 326 to retain same against the shank 316 when the projectile is discharged. When the spear head enters the body of a iish sufficiently the ring and collar are moved rearwardly from the trailing tip ends of the barbs 326. Any movement of the spear outwardly of the fish or other object into which it has been shot will cause the barbs to pivot so that the free ends thereof will move away from the shank and prevent the spear from being pulled from the fish.

I claim:

1. In an under water weapon of the class described: a gun including a barrel having a plurality of longitudinally spaced seals on the exterior thereof and extending about said barrel; cartridge piercing means carried by the barrel; manually operable release means for said cartridge piercing means; a projectile comprising a tubular sleeve having the forward end thereof closed,

the rear end of said sleeve being open and there being an interior groove in said sleeve adjacent the rearward end, said sleeve being slidable over said barrel and said groove being adapted to receive one of the seals on the gun barrel, the closed end of said sleeve having a vent from the interior of the sleeve to the exterior thereof; a compressed gas cartridge within the sleeve and adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with the piercing means; and an annular sealing means between said vent and said cartridge.

2. In an under water weapon of the class described: a gun including a barrel having a plurality of longitudinally spaced seals on the exterior thereof, said seals being annular and extending about said barrel; cartridge piercing means carried by the barrel; manually operable release means for said cartridge piercing means; a projectile comprising a tubular sleeve having the forward end thereof closed, the rear end of said sleeve being open and there being an annular interior groove in said sleeve adjacent the rearward end, said sleeve being slidable over the barrel and said groove being adapted to receive one of the seals on the gun barrel; and a compressed gas cartridge within the sleeve adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with the piercing means.

3. In an under water weapon of the class described: a gun including a barrel having a plurality of longitudinally spaced seals on the exterior thereof, said seals being annular and extending about said barrel; cartridge piercing means carried by the barrel; manually operable release means for said cartridge piercing means; a projectile comprising a tubular sleeve having the forward end thereof closed, the rear end of said sleeve being open and there being an annular interior groove in said sleeve adjacent the rearward end, said sleeve being slidable over said barrel, and said groove being adapted to receive one of the seals on the gun barrel, the closed end of said sleeve having a vent from the interior of the sleeve to the exterior thereof; and means adjacent said vent adapted to provide a seal between said vent and a cartridge disposed in the end of the sleeve adjacent said vent.

4. In an under water weapon of the class described: a gun including a barrel having a seal on the exterior thereof adjacent the forward end; a latch member extending about said barrel adjacent the rear thereof; cartridge piercing means carried by said barrel; a projectile comprising a tubular sleeve having the forward end thereof closed, the rear end of said sleeve being open and there being an annular interior groove in said sleeve adjacent the rearward end, said sleeve being slidable over said barrel and said groove being adapted to releasably receive said latch member, the closed end of said sleeve having a vent from the interior of the sleeve to the exterior thereof; a compressed gas cartridge within the sleeve and adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with the piercing means; sealing means between said vent and cartridge and engageable by said cartridge when the latter is in operative position; and manually operable release means for said cartridge piercing means.

5. In a projectile for under water weapons of the character described: a tubular sleeve having the forward end thereof closed, the rear end of said sleeve being open and there being an interior groove in said sleeve adjacent the rearward end, said groove being adapted to be releasably engaged by a part on the gun barrel, the closed end of said sleeve having a vent opening laterally of the closed forward end of said sleeve and extending from the interior of the sleeve to the exterior thereof; a compressed gas cartridge within the sleeve and disposed behind the vent and in a position to be pierced by cartridge piercing means of a weapon; and sealing means between said vent and cartridge and engageable by said cartridge when in the operative position, said vent being closed when the cartridge is in said operative position.

6. In an under water weapon of the class described: a gun including a barrel; a cartridge piercing means carried by the barrel; manually operable release means for said cartridge piercing means, a projectile comprising a tubular sleeve having the forward end closed, the rear end of said sleeve being open and said sleeve being slidable over said barrel; means for releasably securing the projectile on said barrel, said means releasing said projectile when the latter is discharged; a compressed gas cartridge within the sleeve and adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with the piercing means; a flexible, elongated recovery element having one end secured to the projectile and the opposite end secured to the gun; lever support means and recovery element guide means secured to the gun adjacent the rear end thereof, the top of said support means being inclined upwardly and forwardly; a lever pivoted adjacent the rear thereof to said support means, the major portion of said lever extending forwardly of said pivot and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced upstanding lingers adapted to project upwardly of Ithe upper surface of the inclined top of the support means and when said lever is in the raised position said fingers are inclined rearwardly, said element being looped on respective lingers; and a member projecting forwardly of the forward end of the lever and adapted to releasably clamp a portion of the recovery element beneath same and against an upper portion of said support means, said element support means being adapted to permit said element to pay out without tangling when the projectitle is discharged.

7. In an under water weapon of the class described: a gun including a barrel; cartridge piercing means carried by the barrel; manually operable release means for said cartridge piercing means, a projectile comprising a tubular sleeve having the forward end closed, the rear end of said sleeve being open and said sleeve being slidable over said barrel; means for releasably securing the projectile on said barrel, said means releasing said projectile when the latter is discharged; a compressed gas cartridge within the sleeve and adapted to be disposed in operatitve relationship with the piercing means; a flexible, elongated recovery element having one end secured to the projectile and the opposite end secured to the gun; means for supporting the recovery element including lever support means and recovery element guide means secured to the gun adjacent the rear end thereof, the top of said support means being inclined upwardly and forwardly; a lever pivoted adjacent the rear thereof to said support means, the major portion of said lever extending forwardly of said pivot and having a plurality ofn longitudinally spaced upstanding fingers adapted to project upwardly of the upper surface of the inclined top of the support means and when said lever is in the raised position said fingers are inclined rearwardly; a member projecting forwardly of the forward end of the lever and adapted to releasably clamp a portion of the recovery element beneath same and against an upper portion of said support means; an upright member spaced forwardly of the support means and being adapted to have the recovery element turned thereon, means for securing said upright member to the gun; and a guide member secured to the securing means and having its forward end projecting forwardly of the upper end of said upright member and secured to said upper end.

8. In an under water weapon of the class described: a gun including a barrel having a plurality of longitudinally spaced seals on the exterior thereof, said seals being annular and extending about said barrel; cartridge piercing means carried by said barrel; a projectile comprising a tubular sleeve having the forward end thereof closed, the rear end of said sleeve being open and there being an annular interior groove in said sleeve adjacent the rearward end, said sleeve being slidable over said barrel and said groove being adapted to releasably receive one of the seals on the gun barrel; a compressed gas cartridge within the sleeve and adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with the piercing means; and manually operable release means for said cartridge piercing means.

9. In an under water weapon of the class described: a gun including a barrel having a plurality of longitudinally spaced seals on the exterior thereof and extending about said barrel; cartridge piercing means carried by the barrel; manually operable release means for said cartridge piercing means; a projectile comprising a tubular sleeve having the forward end thereof closed, the rear end of said sleeve being open and there being an interior groove in said sleeve adjacent the rearward end, said sleeve being slidable over said barrel and said groove being adapted to receive one of the seals on the gun barrel; and a compressed gas cartridge within the sleeve and adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with the piercing means.

10. In a projectile for under water weapons of the class described: a tubular sleeve having the forward end thereof closed, the rear end of said sleeve being open and there being a part of said sleeve adapted to be releasably engaged by a latching part of a gun adapted to discharge said projectile, the closed end of said sleeve having a vent opening laterally of the closed forward end of said sleeve and extending from the interior to the exterior thereof; a compressed gas cartridge within said sleeve and disposed behind the vent aud in a position to be pierced by cartridge piercing means of said gun; and sealing means between said vent and cartridge and engageable by said cartridge when the latter is in operative position, said vent being closed when the cartridge is in said operative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,006,030 Price .Tune 25, 1935 2,267,065 Wilen Dec. 23, 1941 2,289,490 Fisher July 14, 1942 2,375,314 Mills May 8, 1945 2,496,217 Kearny Jan. 31, 1950 2,521,135 Stark et al. Sept. 5, 1950 2,588,184 Walsh Mar. 4, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,020,589 France Nov. 19, 1952 OTHER REFERENCES Popular Science for July 1945, page 152 cited. 

